Functional module card for transferring digital broadcasting signal using two transfer modes

ABSTRACT

A functional module card and a host apparatus according to the present invention can constitute the digital broadcasting receiver apparatus. The functional module card includes a card controller and a tuner section. The tuner section inputs a digital broadcasting signal, generates a transport stream (referred to as a TS hereinafter) and a TS clock for transferring the TS, and directly transfers the TS and the TS clock to a decoder and descrambler of the host apparatus via a bus according to the TS clock. A data transfer method for transferring data between the card controller and the host controller of the host apparatus is a master-slave data transfer method in which the host controller operates as a master apparatus.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a functional module card, a hostapparatus, a method for controlling the functional module card, and amethod for controlling the host apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, terrestrial digital broadcasting has started. Following thestart of the terrestrial digital broadcasting, various digitalbroadcasting receiver apparatuses and digital broadcasting receptionmethods have been proposed (See, for example, Japanese patent laid-openpublication Nos. 2002-300128, 2002-218341, 2002-135808 and 2001-197025,and Japanese Patent No. 3,389,843).

In the digital broadcasting receiver apparatus, a digital broadcastingreception functional module is expensive. Due to this, such an apparatusto which the digital broadcasting reception functional module can beattached as an optional unit, and a main body of which is inexpensive,is often more attractive to a user than such an expensive apparatus thatcontains the digital broadcasting reception functional module. Thepresent invention realizes a functional module card that includes adigital broadcasting reception function and an inexpensive hostapparatus to which the functional module card can be attached as anoptional unit.

Upon realizing such a functional module card and such a host apparatus,the following two problems arise.

(i) First Problem

It is attractive to a user that the digital broadcasting receptionfunction can be installed into a functional module card that includes ahighly versatile interface, because range of user's selection of a hostapparatus and an option is widened. If the functional module card thatincludes the highly versatile interface includes not only the digitalbroadcasting reception function but also the other functions, thefunctional module card is further attractive to the user. Conversely, ifa functional module card that includes the digital broadcastingreception function can be connected to a host apparatus only via anexclusive interface, the functional module card can be attached only toa specific host apparatus, and only a specific functional module cardcan be attached to a host apparatus. This results in quite restrictivevariations in a combination of a host apparatus and a functional modulecard. Such a functional module card tends to be expensive. In addition,restricted range of user's selection of a host apparatus and an optionmakes these products less attractive to the user.

However, generally speaking, a versatile functional module cardcommunicates with a host apparatus by use of a master-slavecommunication (in which the host apparatus generates a communicationclock) in which the host apparatus operates as a master apparatus andthe functional module card operates as a slave apparatus. On the otherhand, it is basically necessary to process and output such a digitalbroadcasting signal that is continuous relative to a time axis inresponse to such a clock that is generated from the digital broadcastingsignal. Otherwise, no signal time (image (or sound) blackout or freeze)or such a state that a signal cannot be outputted and should beabandoned (image or sound skipping) may possibly occur. A method forcontrolling a communication clock for the versatile functional modulecard completely differs from a method for controlling the clockgenerated from the digital broadcasting signal. Accordingly, even if thedigital broadcasting signal reception function is installed into afunctional module card according to a prior art that includes theversatile interface, the first problem arises that the digitalbroadcasting signal cannot be transferred to the host apparatus inresponse to a correct clock.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a functional modulecard that includes the versatile interface and the digital broadcastingsignal reception function, and transfers the digital broadcasting signalto a host apparatus in response to the correct clock, a host apparatuscorresponding to the functional module card, a method for controllingthe functional module card, and a method for controlling the hostapparatus.

(ii) Second Problem

In the pay digital broadcasting, a broadcasting station transmits ascrambled or an encrypted digital broadcasting signal and loads suchinformation that is necessary to descramble or decode the digitalbroadcasting signal to an apparatus owned by a user who pays charges.With doing so, only the user who has paid the charges can view a digitalbroadcasting content. However, if the functional module card includesthe digital broadcasting reception function, a plurality of users canillegally view the digital broadcasting content by sharing onefunctional module card among the users and allowing one user to paycharges for the digital broadcasting content to the broadcastingstation. Namely, a second problem arises that copyrights of digitalcontents transmitted from the broadcasting station cannot be protected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a functional modulecard that includes a digital broadcasting reception function, that canbe attached to a host apparatus as an optional unit, and that canprotect copyrights of broadcast digital contents, an inexpensive hostapparatus corresponding to the functional module card, a method forcontrolling the functional module card, and a method for controlling thehost apparatus.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present inventionhas the following constitutions. According to one aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a functional module card that includes acommunication section for communicating with a host apparatus via aplurality of connection lines and a broadcasting signal receiversection. The broadcasting signal receiver section receives a digitalbroadcasting signal, and generates a data signal of the digitalbroadcasting signal and a clock for transferring the data signal. Thecommunication section includes the following:

a first data transfer mode for transferring data via a data bus ofconnection lines selected from the connection lines; and

a second data transfer mode for transmitting the data signal and theclock for transferring the data signal, respectively, to the hostapparatus via one connection line and via at least one anotherconnection line other than the one connection line, the one connectionline and the at least one another connection line being selected fromthe connection lines which transfer the data in the first data transfermode.

The present invention realizes a functional module card that can bearbitrarily attached to a host apparatus as an optional unit, and thatconstitutes a system (a digital broadcasting receiver apparatus) inwhich a host apparatus main body is inexpensive.

The present invention realizes a functional module card that includes aversatile interface and a digital broadcasting signal receptionfunction, and that transfers a digital broadcasting signal to a hostapparatus in response to a correct clock. The present invention realizesa functional module card that can execute ordinary data transfer anddigital broadcasting signal transfer between the functional module cardand a host apparatus. According to the present invention, the hostapparatus can correctly reproduce both of or one of a video signal andan audio signal. By transmitting a channel setting command from the hostapparatus to the functional module card using the ordinary data transferfunction, the host apparatus can, for example, make a channel settingand the like in a tuner section (included in the broadcasting signalreceiver section) of the functional module card and the like.

The signal inputted to the functional module card is a digitalbroadcasting signal such as a terrestrial digital broadcasting signal, aBS digital broadcasting signal, or a CS digital broadcasting signal.

In the above-mentioned functional module card, the data signal may be atransport stream.

In the above-mentioned functional module card, the communication sectionpreferably further transfers data to the host apparatus in the seconddata transfer mode, using the same transfer protocol as a transferprotocol used in the first data transfer mode, and using a data bushaving a number of lines smaller than that of the first transfer mode,the data bus being selected in a further connection line other than theconnection lines as used upon transferring the data signal and the clockfor transferring the data signal in the second transfer mode, thefurther connection line being selected from the connection lines as usedas the data bus in the first data transfer mode.

The present invention further realizes a functional module card that canexecute an ordinary data transfer even in a mode for transmitting adigital broadcasting signal to the host apparatus.

In the above-mentioned functional module card, the communication sectionpreferably starts communicating with the host apparatus in the firstdata transfer mode upon being activated, and communicates with the hostapparatus after switching over to the second data transfer mode uponreceiving a command for switching over to the second data transfer modefrom the host apparatus.

The present invention realizes a functional module card that executesordinary data transfer and digital broadcasting signal transfer betweenthe functional module card and a host apparatus corresponding to thefunctional module card that includes the digital broadcasting signalreception function according to the present invention, and thatappropriately executes the ordinary data transfer between the functionalmodule card and a host apparatus that does not correspond to thefunctional module card according to the present invention.

The above-mentioned functional module card preferably further includes abuffer memory for storing the data signal received by the broadcastingsignal receiver section. Responsive to a command from the hostapparatus, the communication section selectively executes one of thefollowing:

transmitting the data signal received by the broadcasting signalreceiver section to the host apparatus in the second data transfer mode;and

storing the data signal in the buffer memory, reading the data signalfrom the buffer memory, and transmitting a read data signal to the hostapparatus in the first data transfer mode.

The present invention further realizes a functional module card that cantransfer a digital broadcasting signal even by the ordinary datatransfer.

For example, the host apparatus adjusts a rate of outputting image datato a monitor according to a time interval of clocks for transferring thetransport stream.

In the above-mentioned functional module card, in the first datatransfer mode, the data may be transferred via the data bus of theconnection lines selected from the connection lines by a master-slavecommunication in which the host apparatus operates as a master apparatusand the functional module card operates as a slave apparatus.

The present invention realizes a functional module card that includes aninterface for holding a versatile master-slave communication and adigital broadcasting signal reception function, and that transfers adigital broadcasting signal to a host apparatus in response to a correctclock.

According to another aspect view of the present invention, there isprovided a host apparatus that includes a communication section and abroadcasting signal output section. The communication sectioncommunicates with a functional module card via a plurality of connectionlines. The broadcasting signal output section inputs a data signal of adigital broadcasting signal and a clock for transferring the datasignal, which are transmitted from the functional module card, performsa predetermined processing on the data signal and the clock, and outputsa resultant data signal and a resultant clock. The communication sectionincludes the following:

a first data transfer mode for transferring data via a data bus ofconnection lines selected from the connection lines; and

a second data transfer mode for inputting the data signal and the clockfor transferring the data signal, respectively, to the host apparatusvia one connection line and via at least one another connection lineother than the one connection line, the one connection line and the atleast one another connection line being selected from the connectionlines which transfer the data in the first data transfer mode.

The present invention realizes an inexpensive host apparatus to which afunctional module card that includes the digital broadcasting receptionfunction can be attached as an optional unit. According to the presentinvention, the host apparatus can correctly reproduce both of or one ofa video signal and an audio signal. By transmitting a channel settingcommand from the host apparatus to the functional module card using theordinary data transfer function, the host apparatus can, for example,make a channel setting and the like in a tuner section of the functionalmodule card.

The present invention realizes a host apparatus that includes aversatile interface and that receives a digital broadcasting signal froma functional module card according to the present invention in responseto a correct clock. The present invention realizes a host apparatus thatcan execute ordinary data transfer and digital broadcasting signalreception between the host apparatus and a functional module cardaccording to the present invention.

In the above-mentioned host apparatus, the data signal may be atransport stream.

In the above-mentioned host apparatus, the communication sectionpreferably further inputs data from the functional module card in thesecond data transfer mode, using the same transfer protocol as atransfer protocol used in the first data transfer mode, and using a databus having a number of lines smaller than that of the first transfermode, the data bus being selected in a further connection line otherthan the connection lines as used upon transferring the data signal andthe clock for transferring the data signal in the second transfer mode,the further connection line being selected from the connection lines asused as the data bus in the first data transfer mode.

The present invention also realizes a host apparatus that cansimultaneously execute the ordinary data transfer and a mode forreceiving a digital broadcasting signal from a functional module card.

In the above-mentioned host apparatus, the communication sectionpreferably starts communicating with the functional module card in thefirst data transfer mode upon being activated, and when the functionalmodule card receives the digital broadcasting signal and generates thedata signal of the digital broadcasting signal and the clock fortransferring the data signal, the communication section transmits acommand to switch over to the second data transfer mode to thefunctional module card, switches over to the second data transfer mode,and thereafter communicates with the functional module card.

The present invention realizes a host apparatus that receives a digitalbroadcasting signal from a functional module card according to thepresent invention in response to a correct clock.

The host apparatus judges whether or not “the functional module cardreceives the digital broadcasting signal and generates the data signalof the digital broadcasting signal and the clock for transferring thedata signal” typically based on functional module card identificationinformation or functional module card functional information inputted tothe host apparatus from the functional module card.

In the above-mentioned host apparatus, in the first data transfer mode,the data may be transferred via the data bus of the connection linesselected from the connection lines by a master-slave communication inwhich the host apparatus operates as a master apparatus and thefunctional module card operates as a slave apparatus.

According to a further aspect of view of the present invention, there isprovided a host apparatus that includes a communication section and abroadcasting signal output section. The communication section connectsto a functional module card, and receives a transport stream of adigital broadcasting signal from the functional module card. Thebroadcasting signal output section executes one of the following:

descrambling a scrambled transport stream of the digital broadcastingsignal received by the communication section; and

decoding an encrypted transport stream of the digital broadcastingsignal, and outputting one of a descrambled transport stream and adecoded transport stream.

The present invention realizes a host apparatus that includes aninterface for holding a versatile master-slave communication, and thatreceives a digital broadcasting signal from a functional module cardaccording to the present invention in response to a correct clock.

The present invention realizes a host apparatus to which a functionalmodule card that includes a digital broadcasting reception function canbe arbitrarily attached as an optional unit, and that properly outputs adigital broadcasting signal inputted from the functional module cardonly if a user pays charges for the digital broadcasting to abroadcasting station.

Since functions of the digital broadcasting receiver apparatus areseparately installed into the host apparatus and the functional modulecard, an inexpensive host apparatus can be realized. Copyrights ofbroadcast digital contents can be protected.

The present invention realizes a method for controlling a functionalmodule card and a method for controlling a host apparatus that exhibitthe same functions and advantageous effects as those described above.

According to the functional module card and the host apparatus accordingto the present invention, such a digital broadcasting receiver apparatuscan be realized, that transfers a digital broadcasting signal from thefunctional module card to the host apparatus, and that executes ordinarydata transfer between the functional module card and the host apparatus.Further, such a digital broadcasting receiver apparatus can be realized,that can arbitrarily attach the functional module card that includes adigital broadcasting reception function to a host apparatus as anoptional unit, and that can protect copyrights of broadcast digitalcontents.

The novel features of the invention will be hereinafter fully describedand particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and theconfiguration and details of the invention, together with other objectsand features thereof, will become better understood and appreciated byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcastingreceiver apparatus that includes a functional module card and a hostapparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a digital broadcasting receiving method(including a method for controlling the functional module card and amethod for controlling the host apparatus) according to the firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention, in particular showing themethod for controlling the functional module card and the method forcontrolling the host apparatus, from at the time when a user transmits aterrestrial digital broadcasting reception start command to the hostapparatus to the time when a tuner section of the functional module cardstarts operating.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a digital broadcasting receiving method(including the method for controlling the functional module card and themethod for controlling the host apparatus) according to the first, asecond and a third preferred embodiments of the present invention, inparticular showing a method for a host apparatus 160's designating aviewing target channel to a functional module card 110 and a method fortransferring a TS from the functional module card 110 to the hostapparatus 160.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcastingreceiver apparatus that includes a functional module card and a hostapparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a digital broadcasting receiving method(including a method for controlling the functional module card and amethod for controlling the host apparatus) according to the second andthe third preferred embodiments of the present invention, in particularshowing the method for controlling the functional module card and themethod for controlling the host apparatus, from at the time when theuser transmits a terrestrial digital broadcasting reception startcommand to the host apparatus to the time when selectors are switchedover.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcastingreceiver apparatus that includes a functional module card and a hostapparatus according to the third preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

It will be understood that all or part of the drawings are purelydiagrammatic for illustrative purposes and do not necessarily presentfaithful depictions of the actual relative sizes or positions of theillustrated elements.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments that specifically show best modes for carrying outthe present invention will be described hereinafter with reference tothe drawings.

First Preferred Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a functional module card, a host apparatus, amethod for controlling the functional module card, and a method forcontrolling the host apparatus according to a first preferred embodimentof the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcastingreceiver apparatus that includes the functional module card and the hostapparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 110 denotes thefunctional module card and reference numeral 160 denotes the hostapparatus. The functional module card 110 receives a terrestrial digitalbroadcasting signal, and transfers a transport stream (referred to as a“TS” hereinafter) of a broadcasting signal (including video and audiosignals) on a channel selected by a tuner 112 to the host apparatus 160.The host apparatus 160 decodes and descrambles an inputted TS andoutputs the video and audio signals of the terrestrial digitalbroadcasting.

The functional module card 110 includes an antenna 150, a tuner section111, a card controller 114, and a memory 118. The tuner section 111includes the tuner 112 and a demodulator 113. The card controller 114includes a communication section 115, a tuner section controller 116,and a card information storage section 117. The host apparatus 160includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 161, a bus line 162, a decoderand descrambler 163, a host controller 164, an input and output section165, and a clock generator 166.

The host apparatus 160 includes a card slot (not shown) to which thefunctional module card 110 can be attached. A connector (not shown)provided to the card slot of the host apparatus 160 is connected to aconnector (not shown) of the functional module card 110 that is attachedto the card slot. Via the connectors, the host apparatus 160 outputselectric power, a control command, data and the like to the functionalmodule card 110, and inputs a video signal, an audio signal, data andthe like of a moving image outputted from the functional module card110. The host apparatus 160 is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).Alternatively, the host apparatus 160 may be the other apparatus (suchas a notebook type personal computer or a mobile telephone).

The host apparatus 160 enables any one of not only the functional modulecard 110 but also various kinds of other functional module cards (suchas a functional module card including only a memory function and afunctional module card including a memory function and the otherfunction (e.g., a radio communication function)) to be attached to thecard slot (including the connector provided in the card slot) and tooperate.

In the first preferred embodiment, the functional module card 110 is anSD card (registered trademark). The functional module card 110 may be anarbitrary versatile functional module card such as an SD card, an ICcard or a memory stick (registered trademark). By attaching thefunctional module card 110 to the host apparatus 160, such a functionthat is installed into the functional module card 110 can be added tothe host apparatus 160. In the first preferred embodiment, thefunctional module card 110 includes a terrestrial digital broadcastingsignal reception function and a memory function, and these functions areadded to the host apparatus 160.

The input and output section 165 of the host apparatus 160 receives acommand from an external apparatus. For example, a user inputs a commandsuch as a terrestrial digital broadcasting reception start command or areception channel designation command to the host apparatus 160 via theinput and output section 165 (that includes an operation section).Further, the input and output section 165 outputs the video signal andthe audio signal to a display and loudspeakers, which is either anexternal apparatus connected to the host apparatus 160 or is included inthe host apparatus 160. A method for outputting the video and audiosignals via the input and output section 165 will be described later.

The CPU 161 controls internal operations (that includes an operation ofthe host apparatus 160 as the PDA and operations for controlling thedecoder and descrambler 163 and the like) of the host apparatus 160. Inaddition, the CPU 161 transmits a command to perform each operation tothe functional module card 110 and controls a communication between thehost controller 164 and the communication section 115.

The host apparatus 160 can store such data, that is generated internallyor inputted from the external apparatus via the input and output section165, in the memory 118 of the functional module card 110, or can processand output data read out from the memory 118.

The functional module card 110 and the host apparatus 160 are connectedto each other via a bus 170. The bus 170 includes a clock line 131 and adata line 132 for executing communications between the tuner section 111and the clock generator 166, and between the tuner section 111 anddecoder and descrambler 163. The bus further includes a clock line 141,data lines 143 and 144, and a command/response line 142 for executingthe communication between the host controller 164 and the communicationsection 115. A power source line for supplying the electric power fromthe host apparatus 160 to the functional module card 110 and a groundline are included in connection lines (not shown) for connecting thefunctional module card 110 to the host apparatus 160. The functionalmodule card 110 operates when the electric power is supplied to thefunctional module card 110 from the host apparatus 160.

The host controller 164 and the communication section 115 are connectedto each other via the clock line 141, the data lines 143 and 144, andthe command/response line 142. A master-slave communication (referred toas a “first data transfer method” hereinafter), in which the hostapparatus 160 operates as a master apparatus and the functional modulecard 110 operates a slave apparatus, is held between the host controller164 and the communication section 115. With the first data transfermethod, a synchronous communication for bidirectionally transmittingcommands and responses (transmitted via the command/response line 142)and data (transmitted via the command/response line 142 or the datalines 143 and 144 depending on types of the data) in response to a clock(referred to as a “host clock” hereinafter, which is transmitted via theclock line 141) outputted from the host controller 164 is executed. Thehost controller 164 transmits a command (or a command and data) to thecommunication section 115, and the communication section 115 transmits aresponse (or a response and data) to the host controller 164 in responseto the command. A mode of transferring data using only the first datatransfer method will be referred to as a “first data transfer mode”.

The tuner section controller 116 controls the tuner 112 so as to startreceiving signals and makes a reception channel setting and the like inresponse to the command such as the terrestrial digital broadcastingreception start command or the reception channel designation commandtransmitted from the host controller 164 to the communication section115.

The tuner 112 receives a terrestrial digital broadcasting signal on theselected channel in response to the command transmitted from the tunercontroller 116. The demodulator 113 of the tuner section 111 demodulatesa terrestrial digital broadcasting signal received by the tuner 112 to abaseband signal, and generates a TS of the baseband signal and a clock(referred to as a “TS clock” hereinafter) for transferring data of theTS.

The demodulator 113 is connected to the decoder and descrambler 163 viathe data line 132. The demodulator 113 is connected to the clockgenerator 166 via the clock line 131. The demodulator 113unidirectionally transfers the TS clock and the TS (including the videoand audio signals), as continuous signals, to the clock generator 166and the decoder and descrambler 163 via clock line 131 and the data line132 (this transfer method will be referred to as a “second data transfermethod” hereinafter). With the second data transfer method, asynchronous communication using the TS clock is executed. Further, amode of transferring data using the second data transfer method will bereferred to as a “second data transfer mode” (the second data transfermode includes such a data transfer that the first data transfer methodand the second data transfer method are used simultaneously).

The clock generator 166 inputs the TS clock and divides the TS clock byN. Further, the clock generator 166 transfers the TS clock to thedecoder and descrambler 163, and transfers a TS clock divided by N tothe input and output section 165.

The TS clock and the TS are inputted to the decoder and descrambler 163.The decoder and descrambler 163 of the host apparatus 160 inputs the TSin response to the TS clock, and decodes and descrambles the terrestrialdigital broadcasting signal.

The input and output section 165 outputs the video and audio signalsoutputted from the decoder and descrambler 163 to the display and theloudspeakers (which are either connected to the host apparatus 160 asexternal apparatuses or included in the host apparatus 160) at a timingof the TS clock divided by N.

The card information storage section 117 stores information (referred toas “card information”) on the functions of the functional module card110 including information that the functional module card 110 canreceive the terrestrial digital broadcasting signal, transmit the TS ofthe terrestrial digital broadcasting signal by use of the second datatransfer method, and transmit and receive data signals by use of thefirst data transfer method.

The memory 118 is a nonvolatile memory (which is a flash memory in thefirst preferred embodiment). Data transmitted from the host controller164 of the host apparatus 160 to the communication section 115 iswritten into the memory 118. In addition, data read out from the memory118 is transmitted to the host apparatus 160 via the communicationsection 115 and the host controller 164.

In the functional module card 110, an output buffer (not shown) of thetuner section 111 for outputting the TS and the TS clock, and thecommunication section 115 constitute a communication section of thefunctional module card 110. The tuner 112 and the demodulator 113 of thetuner section 11 constitute a broadcasting signal reception section.

In the host apparatus 160, an input buffer (not shown) of the decoderand descrambler 163, an input buffer (not shown) of the clock generator166, and a communication interface of the host controller 164 forcommunicating with the communication section 115 constitute acommunication section of the host apparatus 160. The decoder anddescrambler 163, the clock generator 166, and an output interface (notshown) of the input and output section 165 for outputting the video andaudio signals constitute a broadcasting signal output section of thehost apparatus 160.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the method for controlling the functionalmodule card and the method for controlling the host apparatus accordingto the first preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a digital broadcastingreceiving method (including the method for controlling the functionalmodule card and the method for controlling the host apparatus) accordingto the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, inparticular showing the method for controlling the functional module 110card and the method for controlling the host apparatus 160, from at thetime when a user transmits the terrestrial digital broadcastingreception start command to the host apparatus 160 to the time when atuner section 111 of the functional module 110 card starts operating.

The user inputs the terrestrial digital broadcasting reception startcommand to the input and output section 165. The host controller 164receives the terrestrial digital broadcasting reception start commandfrom the input and output section 165 via the bus line 162. In step 221,the host controller 164 transmits a card information transmissionrequest command to the communication section 115 via thecommand/response line 142. During transmission of the command or data orduring reception of the response or data, the host controller 164outputs the host clock via the clock line 141.

The communication section 115 of the functional module card 110 receivesthe card information transmission request command (step 201). Thecommunication section 115 reads out the card information includinginformation that the functional module card 110 can receive theterrestrial digital broadcasting signal and transmit the TS of theterrestrial digital broadcasting signal by use of the second datatransfer method from the card information storage section 117, andtransmits the card information to the host controller 164 via the dataline 143 or the data lines 143 and 144 (step 202). The host controller164 receives the card information in step 222, and transmits anotification of permitting the functional module card 110 to transferdata by use of the second data transfer method (second data transfermethod permission notification) to the communication section 115 of thefunctional module card 110 via the command/response line 142 in step223. In step 203, the communication section 115 receives the second datatransfer method permission notification. The communication section 115transmits a command for the tuner section 111 to start receiving signals(signal reception start command) to the tuner section controller 116.The tuner section controller 116 controls the tuner section 111 so as tostart operating (step 204).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the digital broadcasting receiving method(including the method for controlling the functional module card and themethod for controlling the host apparatus) according to the firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention, in particular showing amethod for the host apparatus 160's designating a viewing target channelto the functional module card 110 and a method for transferring the TSfrom the functional module card 110 to the host apparatus 160.

The user designates the viewing target channel via the input and outputsection 165 of the host apparatus 160. The input and output section 165instructs the host controller 164 to transmit the reception channeldesignation command. The host controller 164 transmits the receptionchannel designation command to the communication section 115 of thefunctional module card 110 via the command/response line 142, andtransmits a reception channel value to the communication section 115 viathe data line 143 or the data lines 143 and 144 (step 321) (thereception channel designation command and the channel value will becollectively referred to as a “reception channel designation command”hereinafter). The host controller 164 outputs the host clock from theclock line 141 during transmission of the command or data or duringreception of the response or data. The communication section 115 of thefunctional module card 110 receives the reception channel designationcommand (step 301). The communication section 115 transmits an ACKsignal to the host controller 164 via the command/response line 142(step 302). The host controller 164 receives the ACK signal (step 322).

Data transmission in steps 301, 302, and 321 to 322 is executed by useof the first data transfer method.

The communication section 115 transmits the channel designation commandto the tuner section 111 via the tuner section controller 116. In step303, the tuner 112 receives a terrestrial digital broadcasting signal onthe designated channel with the antenna 150, and inputs the terrestrialdigital broadcasting signal on the designated channel to the demodulator113. The demodulator 113 demodulates the terrestrial digitalbroadcasting signal to the baseband signal, generates the TS, andgenerates the TS clock based on a synchronous signal extracted from theTS (step 304). In step 305, the demodulator 113 transmits the TS clockto the clock generator 166 of the host apparatus 160 via the clock line131. The clock generator 166 transfers the received TS clock to thedecoder and descrambler 163 as it is. In step 306, the demodulator 113transmits the TS to the decoder and descrambler 163 of the hostapparatus 160 via the data line 132, and then the control flow returnsto step 303. The TS is transferred synchronously with not the host clockbut the TS clock generated by the demodulator 113. In step 323, thedecoder and descrambler 163 receives the TS and the TS clock. Datatransfer in steps 305, 306, and 323 is executed by use of the seconddata transfer method.

The decoder and descrambler 163 decodes and descrambles the TS,generates the video and audio signals, and transmits generated video andaudio signals to the input and output section 165 via the bus line 162(step 324). The input and output section 165 receives the video andaudio signals, and outputs received video and audio signals to thedisplay and the loudspeakers at a timing of the TS clock divided by N.The video and audio signals are reproduced (step 325). Thereafter, thecontrol flow returns to step 323.

The host clock and the TS clock are completely different from eachother, and they are not in synchronization with each other. According tothe first preferred embodiment, the TS is transferred in response to theTS clock generated from the TS via the two signal lines (the clock line131 and the data line 132), that are different from the signal lines(the command/response line 142, the clock line 141, and the data lines143 and 144) used in an ordinary master-slave communication.Accordingly, the decoder and descrambler 163 of the host apparatus 160can completely synchronizes with the digital broadcasting signalreceived by the functional module card 110. The host apparatus 160 canreproduce the video and audio signals correctly without anydiscontinuity (e.g., image (or sound) blackout, freeze or skipping).

The host apparatus 160 and the functional module card 110 can executetransmission of a channel setting operation command and the like by useof the first data transfer method in parallel with transmission of theTS by use of the second data transfer method. While the functionalmodule card 110 transmits the TS to the host apparatus 160, the hostapparatus 160 can receive the reception channel designation command fromthe user and transmit a received command to the functional module card110. In addition, the host apparatus 160 can write or read out data intoor from the memory 118 regardless of whether or not the functionalmodule card 110 transmits the TS to the host apparatus 160.

The data transfer via the one data line 143 or the two data lines 143and 144 using the first data transfer method is executed according tothe same data transfer protocol specified in versatile functional modulecards. Due to this, the functional module card 110 can execute functions(e.g., the function of storing data to the memory 118) other than atleast the digital broadcasting reception function, even if thefunctional module card 110 is attached not to the host apparatus 160according to the present invention but to the host apparatus accordingto the prior art. The host apparatus 160 can fulfill the functions ofnot only the functional module card 110 according to the presentinvention but also the functional module card according to the prior art(which cannot output the TS and the TS clock), connected thereto.

According to the first preferred embodiment, the functional module card110, which is the SD card, and the host apparatus 160 execute the datatransfer by use of the first data transfer method according to a datatransfer protocol specified in ordinary SD cards (See, for example,Matsushita Technical Journal (Japan), 2002, Volume 48, 3rd Issue, p.110). According to the data transfer protocol specified in ordinary SDcards, data transfer in a one-bit mode using one data line or datatransfer in a four-bit mode using four data lines can be executed. Thefirst data transfer method according to the first preferred embodimentis the one-bit mode data transfer in which data is transferred via anyone of the data lines 143 and 144.

In the first preferred embodiment, the tuner section 111 and the decoderand descrambler 163 are separately installed into the functional modulecard 110 and the host apparatus 160, respectively. A scrambled TS isoutputted from the functional module card 110 via the bus 170. The TScan be descrambled only by the host apparatus 160 that holds correctscrambling information. Due to this, even if the functional module card110, for example, is attached to a host apparatus of a user who does notsubscribe to terrestrial digital broadcasting viewing, the user's hostapparatus cannot correctly descramble the TS. Accordingly, copyrights ofdigital contents that are included in the TS is protected.

According to the first preferred embodiment, only minimum functions forviewing terrestrial digital broadcasting contents are installed into thehost apparatus 160. The other functions are installed into thefunctional module card 110. By installing the functional module card 160to the host apparatus 160, the functions of the host apparatus 160 canbe extended. Accordingly, as compared with the host apparatus into whichall the functions necessary to receive terrestrial digital broadcastingsignal are installed, the host apparatus 160 according to the presentinvention can be provided at lower cost. If the user who purchased thehost apparatus 160 intends to extend the functions of the host apparatus160 after the purchase, the user may attach a functional module cardinto which functions to be extended are installed to the card slot ofthe host apparatus 160. If the broadcasting standards of digitalbroadcasting signals on reception channels are different from eachother, the user may attach such a functional module card that includes atuner corresponding to specifications of a digital broadcasting signalon a user's desired reception channel, to the card slot.

Second Preferred Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a functional module card, a hostapparatus, a method for controlling the functional module card, and amethod for controlling the host apparatus according to a secondpreferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcastingreceiver apparatus that includes the functional module card and the hostapparatus according to the second preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 410 denotes afunctional module card and reference numeral 460 denotes a hostapparatus. The functional module card 410 according to the secondpreferred embodiment has such a configuration that the card controller114 and the communication section 115 of the functional module card 110according to the first preferred embodiment (shown in FIG. 1) arereplaced with a card controller 414 and a communication section 415,respectively, and a selector 420 is added. The selector 420 includesswitches 421 and 422. The host apparatus 460 according to the secondpreferred embodiment has such a configuration that the host controller164 of the host apparatus 160 according to the first preferredembodiment (shown in FIG. 1) is replaced with a host controller 464, anda selector 470 is added. The selector 470 includes switches 471 and 472.

The functional module card 410 and the host apparatus 460 are connectedto each other via a bus 170. The bus 170 includes a clock line 131, adata line 132, a clock line 141, data lines 143 and 144, and acommand/response line 142. The clock line 131 is often used as a dataline.

In the digital broadcasting receiver apparatus shown in FIG. 4,components as used commonly to the digital broadcasting receiverapparatuses shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 are denoted by the same referencenumerals, respectively, and they will not be described.

The communication section 415 of the functional module card 410 and thehost apparatus 460 execute data transfer by use of the first datatransfer method as described in the first preferred embodiment inresponse to a clock (a host clock) of the host apparatus 460. Thecommunication section 415 of the card controller 414 and the hostcontroller 464 of the host apparatus 460 execute data transfer by use ofthe first data transfer method via the clock line 141, thecommand/response line 142, and one data line 143 (or two data lines 143and 144 or four data lines 131 (note that the clock line 131 is used asa data line), 132, 143 and 144).

(i) When the switches 421, 422, 471 and 472 are switched over to brokenline sides thereof, respectively (referred to as a “first data transfermode”), the functional module card 410 does not transfer a TS and a TSclock to the host apparatus 460. In this case, the clock line 131 andthe data line 132 are used as data lines for the data transfer betweenthe host controller 464 and the communication section 415. Thecommunication section 415 of the card controller 414 and the hostcontroller 464 of the host apparatus 460 execute data transfer by use ofthe first data transfer method via the clock line 141, thecommand/response line 142, and the four data lines 131, 132, 143 and 144(or one data line 143 or two data lines 143 and 144 instead of using thefour data lines). For example, data is transferred from the memory 118to the host apparatus 460 via the data lines. Since the data bus 170 hasa maximum bus width of four bits, a large amount of data can betransmitted at high rate.

(ii) Data transfer method (“second data transfer method”) that is usedwhen the switches 421, 422, 471 and 472 are switched over to solid linesides thereof, respectively (referred to as a “second data transfermode”) will be described. The TS clock is transferred from a demodulator113 of the functional module card 410 to a decoder and descrambler 163via the clock line 131 and a clock generator 166 of the host apparatus460 (note that a signal transferred from the clock generator 166 to thedecoder and descrambler 163 is the TS clock itself). The TS istransferred directly from the demodulator 113 to the decoder anddescrambler 163 via the data line 132. With the second data transfermethod, a synchronous communication using the TS clock is executed.

In this case, the communication section 415 of the card controller 414and the host controller 464 of the host apparatus 460 execute datatransfer by use of the first data transfer method via the clock line141, the command/response line 142, and one data line 143 (or two datalines 143 and 144). The data transfer using the first data transfermethod can be executed even in parallel with execution of the seconddata transfer method (the second data transfer mode).

In the functional module card 410, an output buffer (not shown) of thetuner section 111 for outputting the TS and the TS clock, thecommunication section 415, and the selector 420 constitute acommunication unit of the functional module card 410. The tuner 112 andthe demodulator 113 of the tuner section 111 constitute a broadcastingsignal reception unit.

In the host apparatus 460, an input buffer (not shown) of the decoderand descrambler 163, an input buffer (not shown) of the clock generator166, a communication interface of the host controller 464 for thecommunication with the communication section 415, and the selector 470constitute a communication section of the host apparatus 460. Thedecoder and descrambler 163, an output interface (not shown) of theinput and output section 165 for outputting the video and audio signals,and the clock generator 166 constitute a broadcasting signal outputsection of the host apparatus 460.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the method for controlling the functionalmodule card and the method for controlling the host apparatus accordingto the second preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a digital broadcastingreceiving method (including the method for controlling the functionalmodule card and the method for controlling the host apparatus) accordingto the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, inparticular showing the method for controlling the functional module card410 and the method for controlling the host apparatus 460, from at thetime when the user transmits a terrestrial digital broadcastingreception start command to the host apparatus 460 to the time whenselectors 420 and 470 (the switches 421, 422, 471, and 472) are switchedover. In the host apparatus 460 and the functional module card 410, theswitches 471 and 472 and the switches 421 and 422 are switched over tobroken line sides thereof, respectively, when a power is turned on. Byso setting, when the power is turned on, the host apparatus 460 and thefunctional module card 410 include the same interface (the first datatransfer mode) as that of the host apparatus and the functional modulecard according to the prior art. Therefore, the host apparatus 460 andthe functional module card 410 are completely compatible with the hostapparatus and the functional module card according to the prior art,respectively, on the interface. The user inputs a terrestrial digitalbroadcasting reception start command to the input and output section165. The host controller 464 receives the terrestrial digitalbroadcasting reception start command from the input and output section165 via the bus line 162. In step 521, the host controller 464 transmitsa card information transmission request command to the communicationsection 415 via the command/response line 142. During transmission of acommand or data or during reception of a response or data, the hostcontroller 464 outputs the host clock via the clock line 141.

The communication section 415 of the functional module card 410 receivesthe card information transmission request command (step 501). The cardinformation storage section 117 stores information (referred to as “cardinformation”) including information on a data transfer method for the TSof the terrestrial digital broadcasting signal. In the second preferredembodiment, the card information storage section 117 stores the cardinformation on the functions of the functional module card 410 includinginformation that the functional module card 410 can receive aterrestrial digital broadcasting signal, transmit the TS of theterrestrial digital broadcasting signal by use of the second datatransfer method, and transmit and receive data signals by use of thefirst data transfer method. The communication section 415 reads out thecard information from the card information storage section 117, andtransmits the card information to the host controller 464 via the dataline 143, the data lines 143 and 144, or the four data lines 131, 132,143, and 144 (step 502). The host controller 464 receives the cardinformation in step 522. In step 523, responsive to the cardinformation, a CPU 161 judges whether or not a data transfer using thesecond data transfer method is permitted.

When the functional module card 410 includes a data transfer functionfor transferring data using the second data transfer method, andfurthermore the memory 118 is not transferring a large amount of data toor from the host apparatus 460, the CPU 161 permits the data transferusing the second data transfer method. When the CPU 161 permits the datatransfer using the second data transfer method, the control flow goesfrom step 523 to step 524. The host controller 464 transmits anotification of permitting TS transfer using the second data transfermethod (second data transfer method permission notification) to thecommunication section 415 via the command/response line 142. The CPU 161switches over the switches 471 and 472 of the selector 470 to the solidline sides thereof, respectively. In step 503, the communication section415 receives the second data transfer method permission notification.The communication section 415 switches over the switches 421 and 422 ofthe selector 420 to the solid line sides thereof, respectively (step504). The communication section 415 transmits a command for the tunersection 111 to start receiving signals (“signal reception startcommand”) to the tuner section controller 116. The tuner sectioncontroller 116 controls the tuner section 111 so as to start operating.The tuner section 111 outputs the TS clock and the TS to the clock line131 and the data line 132, respectively. The tuner section 111 transmitsthe TS to the decoder and descrambler 163 of the host apparatus 460 byuse of the second data transfer method (the second data transfer mode).

When the functional module card 410 does not include the data transferfunction for transferring data using the second data transfer method orwhen the memory 118 is quickly transferring a large amount of data to orfrom the host apparatus 460, the CPU 161 does not permit the datatransfer using the second data transfer method. When the CPU 161 doesnot permit the data transfer using the second data transfer method, thecontrol flow goes from step 523 to step 526. The CPU 161 maintains theswitches 471 and 472 of the selector 470 to the broken line sidesthereof, respectively (step 526). In step 503, the communication section415 does not receive the second data transfer method permissionnotification, and the control flow goes to step 505. In step 505, theswitches 421 and 422 of the selector 420 are maintained to the brokenline sides thereof, respectively.

When the host apparatus 460 permits the transfer of the TS using thesecond data transfer method, the transfer of the TS from the functionalmodule card 410 to the host apparatus 460 is executed by the same methodas that according to the first preferred embodiment (shown in FIG. 3).FIG. 3 has been already described above.

When the host apparatus 460 does not permit the transfer of the TS usingthe second data transfer method, the transfer of the TS from thefunctional module card 410 to the host apparatus 460 is not executed.The clock line 131 and the data line 132 are used as the data lines forthe first data transfer method. The first data transfer method accordingto the second preferred embodiment is the same as that of the first datatransfer method according to the first preferred embodiment except thatthe data can be transmitted via a maximum of four data lines. The busoperating in the first data transfer method is used when data other thanthe TS (e.g., such data that is stored in the memory 118 or the cardinformation storage section 117 in the second preferred embodiment) istransferred between the host apparatus 460 and the functional modulecard 410.

In the second preferred embodiment, the data transfer via the four datalines 131, 132, 143 and 144 in the first data transfer mode (using thefirst data transfer method) and the data transfer via the one data line(143 or 144) in the second data transfer mode (using the first datatransfer method) are executed according to the data transfer protocols(as already described in the first preferred embodiment) specified inordinary SD cards, respectively. Namely, with the first data transfermethod in the first data transfer mode, data is transferred in thefour-bit mode. With the first data transfer method in the second datatransfer mode, data is transferred in the one-bit mode. Due to this, thefunctional module card 410 can execute functions (e.g., the function ofstoring data to the memory 118) other than at least the digitalbroadcasting reception function, even if the functional module card 410is attached not to the host apparatus 460 according to the presentinvention but to the host apparatus according to the prior art. The hostapparatus 460 can fulfill the functions of not only the functionalmodule card 410 according to the present invention but also thefunctional module card according to the prior art (which cannot outputthe TS and the TS clock), connected thereto.

Third Preferred Embodiment

When the functional module card 110 according to the first preferredembodiment or the functional module card 410 according to the secondpreferred embodiment is used in combination with such a host apparatusthat cannot transfer the TS by use of the second data transfer method orsuch a host apparatus that does not permit transferring the TS using thesecond data transfer method, the user is unable to view terrestrialdigital broadcasting contents. A functional module card according to athird preferred embodiment is intended to solve this problem. Referringto FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the functional module card, a host apparatus, amethod for controlling the functional module card, and a method forcontrolling the host apparatus according to the third preferredembodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a digital broadcastingreceiver apparatus that includes the functional module card and the hostapparatus according to the third preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 6, reference numeral 610 denotes thefunctional module card and reference numeral 460 denotes the hostapparatus. The digital broadcasting receiver apparatus shown in FIG. 6has such a configuration that the functional module card 410 in thedigital broadcasting receiver apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is replaced witha functional module card 610. Since the host apparatus 460 is the sameas the host apparatus 460 according to the second preferred embodiment(shown in FIG. 4), the host apparatus 460 will not be described. Thefunctional module card 610 according to the third preferred embodimenthas such a configuration that the card controller 414, the communicationsection 415, the tuner section 111, and the demodulator 113 of thefunctional module card 410 according to the second preferred embodiment(see FIG. 4) are replaced with a card controller 614, a communicationsection 615, a tuner section 611, and a demodulator 613, respectively.The card controller 614 includes a TS receiver section 620, a buffermemory 621, a buffer controller 622, a communication section 615, atuner section controller 116, and a card information storage section117. The tuner section 611 transfers a TS and a TS clock generated bythe demodulator 613 to the selector 420 and the TS receiver section 620.The other components that constitute the functional module card 610 arethe same as those of the functional module card 410 according to thesecond preferred embodiment. Accordingly, the components as usedcommonly to the digital broadcasting receiver apparatuses according thesecond and the third preferred embodiments are denoted by the samereference numerals, respectively, and they will not be described.

The functional module card 610 and the host apparatus 460 are connectedto each other via a bus 170. The bus 170 includes a clock line (or adata line) 131, a data line 132, a clock line 141, data lines 143 and144, and a command/response line 142.

The communication section 615 of the functional module card 610 and thehost apparatus 460 execute data transfer by use of a first data transfermethod in response to a clock (a host clock) of the host apparatus 460.In the third preferred embodiment, the communication section 615 of thecard controller 614 and the host controller 464 of the host apparatus460 execute data transfer by use of the first data transfer method viathe clock line 141, the command/response line 142, and one data line 143(or two data lines 143 and 144 or four data lines 131, 132, 143, and144).

(i) When the switches 421, 422, 471, and 472 are switched over to brokenline sides thereof, respectively (referred to as a “first data transfermode”), the TS is transferred from the demodulator 613 of the functionalmodule card 610 to the host controller 464 of the host apparatus 460 byuse of a transfer method to be described later.

In the functional module card 610, an output buffer (not shown) of thetuner section 111 for outputting the TS and the TS clock, thecommunication section 615, and the selector 420 constitute acommunication section of the functional module card 610. The tuner 112and the demodulator 113 of the tuner section 611 constitute abroadcasting signal reception section.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the method for controlling the functionalmodule card and the method for controlling the host apparatus accordingto the third preferred embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a digital broadcastingreceiving method (including the method for controlling the functionalmodule card and the method for controlling the host apparatus) accordingto the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, inparticular showing the method for controlling the functional module card410 and the method for controlling the host apparatus 460, from at thetime when the user transmits a terrestrial digital broadcastingreception start command to the host apparatus 460 to the time whenselectors 420 and 470 (the switches 421, 422, 471, and 472) are switchedover. Since the method for controlling the functional module card 610and the method for controlling the host apparatus 410 according to thethird preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are the same as thoseaccording to the second preferred embodiments, the methods will not bedescribed.

When the host apparatus 460 permits the transfer of the TS using thesecond data transfer method, the transfer of the TS from the functionalmodule card 610 to the host apparatus 460 is executed by the same methodas that according to the first and the second preferred embodiments(shown in FIG. 3) (the switches 421, 422, 471, and 471 are switched overto the solid line sides thereof, respectively, and this state isreferred to as a “second data transfer mode”). FIG. 3 is alreadydescribed above.

When the host apparatus 460 does not permit the transfer of the TS usingthe second data transfer method (the first data transfer mode), thetransfer of the TS from the functional module card 610 to the hostapparatus 460 is executed as follows.

The TS receiver section 620 receives the TS and the TS clock from thedemodulator 613, and transfers the TS to the buffer controller 622. Thebuffer controller 622 controls the buffer memory 621 so as totemporarily store the TS. The host controller 464 transfers the TSstored in the buffer memory 621 to the host controller 464 by use of amaster-slave data transfer method in which the host apparatus 460operates as a master apparatus. The TS is transmitted from thefunctional module card 610 to the host apparatus 460 by use of the firstdata transfer method described above (using the host clock as asynchronous transfer clock). The four lines of the clock line 131 andthe data lines 132, 143, and 144 are used as data lines for the transferof the TS. The buffer controller 622 reads the TS from the buffer memoryand transmits a read TS to the host controller 464 in response to a TStransfer command that is transmitted from the host controller 464 viathe command/response line 142 and the communication section 615.

The host controller 464 receives the TS, and transfers a received TS tothe decoder and descrambler 163 in response to a command from a CPU 161.The decoder and descrambler 163 decodes and descrambles a TS packet andtransfers video and audio signals to an input and output section 165.The input and output section 165 outputs the video and audio signals.When the TS is transferred from the functional module card 610 to thehost apparatus 410 by use of the first data transfer method, the inputand output section 165 outputs the video and audio signals at a timingof the host clock.

The CPU 161 monitors either a time interval of the TS clock or thenumber of TS clocks within a certain time interval based on a change inan amount of the TS stored in the buffer memory 621. When the timeinterval of the TS clock has become longer or the number of the TSclocks within the certain time interval has been decreased, the CPU 161transmits a command to the decoder and descrambler 163, so as toinstruct the decoder and descrambler 163 to decelerate an output rate ofthe video and audio signals to the input and output section 165. Whenthe time interval of the TS clock has become shorter or the number ofthe TS clocks within the certain time interval has been increased, theCPU 161 transmits a command to the decoder and descrambler 163, so as toinstruct the decoder and descrambler 163 to accelerate the output rateof the video and audio signal to the input and output section 165. Bydoing so, even if the host apparatus 460 does not permit transferringthe TS using the second data transfer method, the TS can be transmittedfrom the functional module card 610 to the host apparatus 460. Althougha video and audio signal output clock used in this transmission is notso correct as that in the TS transmission using the second data transfermethod, the video and audio signals can be outputted without image (or asound) blackout, freeze, or skipping.

The host apparatus 460 according to the third preferred embodimentincludes the selector 470, and is configured to be able to select one TSdata transfer method by switching over the switches 471 and 472.Alternatively, the host apparatus 460 may be a host apparatus thatcorresponds to only one transfer method. In this case, the functionalmodule card 610 can transfer the TS by use of the data transfer method(the first data transfer method or the second data transfer method)designated by the host apparatus by switching over the switches 421 and422 of the selector 420.

When the switches 421, 422, 471 and 472 are switched over to the brokenline sides thereof, respectively (in the first data transfer mode), thetuner section 611 may be able to refrain from outputting the TS and theTS clock in response to a command from the CPU 161. When the tunersection 611 does not output the TS and the TS clock, operations of thefunctional module card 610 and the host apparatus 460 are identical tothose of the functional module card 410 and the host apparatus 460 inthe first data transfer mode according to the second preferredembodiment. They will not be described.

According to the above-described preferred embodiments, a signalinputted to the functional module card 110, 410 or 610 may be a BSdigital broadcasting signal or a CS digital broadcasting signal.

The third preferred embodiment can exhibit the following advantageouseffect. Even if the host apparatus corresponds to either the first datatransfer method or the second data transfer method, it is possible torealize the digital broadcasting receiver apparatus that can executesboth of the operation function (the first transfer method) such as achannel setting and the transfer of the TS (the first or the secondtransfer method), and the functional module card and the inexpensivehost apparatus that constitutes the digital broadcasting receiverapparatus.

In the above-described preferred embodiment, the TS clock is transferredfrom the demodulator 613 to the decoder and descrambler 163 via theclock generator 166. Alternatively, the TS clock may be transferred fromthe demodulator 613 to the decoder and descrambler 163 withoutinvolvement of the clock generator 166.

The digital broadcasting signal may be encrypted instead of scrambled asdescribed in the above-described preferred embodiments. In this case,the functional module card includes a tuner section, and the hostapparatus includes a decoder and a decryption section. The functionalmodule card may include the decoder.

The transport stream used in the above-described preferred embodimentsmay be replaced by a decoded or descrambled data signal (a data signalof the digital broadcasting signal). In this case, the functional modulecard includes a decoder or a decoder and descrambler.

In the digital broadcasting receiver apparatus that includes thefunctional module card and the host apparatus according to the presentinvention, the descrambler and the tuner section are separatelyinstalled into the functional module card and the host apparatus,respectively. The functional module card can directly output the TS andthe clock (the TS clock) generated from the synchronous signal of the TSto a bus.

According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible torealize the digital broadcasting receiver apparatus capable ofattaching, as an optional unit, the functional module card that includesthe digital broadcasting reception function to the host apparatus, andthe functional module card and the inexpensive host apparatus thatconstitutes the digital broadcasting receiver apparatus.

According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible torealize the functional module card that includes the versatile interfaceand the digital broadcasting signal reception function, and thattransfers the digital broadcasting signal to the host apparatus inresponse to a correct clock, the host apparatus corresponding to thefunctional module card, the method for controlling the functional modulecard, and the method for controlling the host apparatus.

According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible torealize the functional module card capable of transferring data by useof the ordinary data transfer method even while the TS is transmittedfrom the functional module card to the host apparatus, the hostapparatus corresponding to the functional module card, the method forcontrolling the functional module card, and the method for controllingthe host apparatus.

The functional module card selects the transfer method for transferringthe TS in response to the designation by the host apparatus, from (a)the first transfer method for transferring the TS in synchronizationwith a clock generated by the host apparatus and (b) the second transfermethod for transferring the TS in synchronization with a clock generatedfrom the synchronous signal of the TS. Accordingly, it is advantageouslypossible to realize the digital broadcasting receiver apparatus capableof including both the function (the first transfer method) such as thechannel setting and the transfer of the TS (the first or the secondtransfer method) whichever transfer method the host apparatuscorresponds to, and the functional module card and the inexpensive hostapparatus that constitutes the digital broadcasting receiver apparatus.

According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible torealize the functional module card that includes the digitalbroadcasting reception function, that can be attached, as an optionalunit, to the host apparatus, and that cannot normally output the digitalbroadcasting signals if the functional module card is not attached tothe host apparatus of the user who pays charges to the broadcastingstation, the inexpensive host apparatus corresponding to the functionalmodule card, the method for controlling the functional module card, andthe methods for controlling the host apparatus. It is advantageouslypossible to realize the inexpensive host apparatus that has highfunction extendability and that can protect copyrights of digitalcontents, the functional module card corresponding to the hostapparatus, the method for controlling the functional module card, andthe method for controlling the host apparatus.

Although the invention has been described in some detail dealing withthe preferred embodiments, the configuration details of any of thepreferred embodiments disclosed herein may be changed or modified, andany changes in the combination or order of components thereof can beaccomplished without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The functional module card, the host apparatus, the method forcontrolling the functional module card, and the method for controllingthe host apparatus are useful as a functional module card and a hostapparatus that constitute, for example, a digital broadcasting receiverapparatus, a method for controlling the functional module card, and amethod for controlling the host apparatus, respectively.

1. A functional module card comprising: a communication section forcommunicating with a host apparatus via a plurality of connection lines;and a broadcasting signal receiver section for receiving a digitalbroadcasting signal, and generating a data signal of the digitalbroadcasting signal and a clock for transferring the data signal,wherein said communication section includes: a first data transfer modefor transferring data via a data bus of connection lines selected fromsaid plurality of connection lines; and a second data transfer mode fortransmitting the data signal and the clock for transferring the datasignal, respectively, to said host apparatus via one connection line andvia at least one another connection line other than said one connectionline, said one connection line and said at least one another connectionline being selected from the connection lines which transfer the data inthe first data transfer mode.
 2. The functional module card as claimedin claim 1, wherein the data signal is a transport stream.
 3. Thefunctional module card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communicationsection further transfers data to said host apparatus in the second datatransfer mode, using the same transfer protocol as a transfer protocolused in the first data transfer mode, and using a data bus having anumber of lines smaller than that of the first transfer mode, said databus being selected in a further connection line other than theconnection lines as used upon transferring the data signal and the clockfor transferring the data signal in the second transfer mode, saidfurther connection line being selected from the connection lines as usedas said data bus in the first data transfer mode.
 4. The functionalmodule card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication sectionstarts communicating with said host apparatus in the first data transfermode upon being activated, and communicates with said host apparatusafter switching over to the second data transfer mode upon receiving acommand for switching over to the second data transfer mode from saidhost apparatus.
 5. The functional module card as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a buffer memory for storing the data signal receivedby said broadcasting signal receiver section, wherein, responsive to acommand from said host apparatus, said communication section selectivelyexecutes one of the following: transmitting the data signal received bysaid broadcasting signal receiver section to said host apparatus in thesecond data transfer mode; and storing the data signal in said buffermemory, reading the data signal from said buffer memory, andtransmitting a read data signal to said host apparatus in the first datatransfer mode.
 6. The functional module card as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first data transfer mode, the data is transferred via saiddata bus of the connection lines selected from said plurality ofconnection lines by a master-slave communication in which said hostapparatus operates as a master apparatus and said functional module cardoperates as a slave apparatus.
 7. A host apparatus comprising: acommunication section for communicating with a functional module cardvia a plurality of connection lines; and a broadcasting signal outputsection for inputting a data signal of a digital broadcasting signal anda clock for transferring the data signal, which are transmitted fromsaid functional module card, for performing a predetermined processingon the data signal and the clock, and for outputting a resultant datasignal and a resultant clock, wherein said communication sectionincludes: a first data transfer mode for transferring data via a databus of connection lines selected from said plurality of connectionlines; and a second data transfer mode for inputting the data signal andthe clock for transferring the data signal, respectively, to said hostapparatus via one connection line and via at least one anotherconnection line other than said one connection line, said one connectionline and said at least one another connection line being selected fromthe connection lines which transfer the data in the first data transfermode.
 8. The host apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the datasignal is a transport stream.
 9. The host apparatus as claimed in claim7, wherein said communication section further inputs data from saidfunctional module card in the second data transfer mode, using the sametransfer protocol as a transfer protocol used in the first data transfermode, and using a data bus having a number of lines smaller than that ofthe first transfer mode, said data bus being selected in a furtherconnection line other than the connection lines as used upontransferring the data signal and the clock for transferring the datasignal in the second transfer mode, said further connection line beingselected from the connection lines as used as said data bus in the firstdata transfer mode.
 10. The host apparatus as claimed in claim 7,wherein said communication section starts communicating with saidfunctional module card in the first data transfer mode upon beingactivated, and wherein, when said functional module card receives thedigital broadcasting signal and generates the data signal of the digitalbroadcasting signal and the clock for transferring the data signal, saidcommunication section transmits a command to switch over to the seconddata transfer mode to said functional module card, switches over to thesecond data transfer mode, and thereafter communicates with saidfunctional module card.
 11. The host apparatus as claimed in claim 7,wherein in the first data transfer mode, the data is transferred viasaid data bus of the connection lines selected from said plurality ofconnection lines by a master-slave communication in which said hostapparatus operates as a master apparatus and said functional module cardoperates as a slave apparatus.
 12. (canceled)
 13. A method forcontrolling a functional module card including: a communicating step ofcommunicating with a host apparatus via a plurality of connection lines;and a broadcasting signal receiving step of receiving a digitalbroadcasting signal, and generating a data signal of the digitalbroadcasting signal and a clock for transferring the data signal,wherein said communicating step includes: a first data transfer mode fortransferring data via a data bus of connection lines selected from saidplurality of connection lines; and a second data transfer mode fortransmitting the data signal and the clock for transferring the datasignal, respectively, to said host apparatus via one connection line andvia at least one another connection line other than said one connectionline, said one connection line and said at least one another connectionline being selected from the connection lines which transfer the data inthe first data transfer mode.
 14. The method for controlling thefunctional module card as claimed in claim 13, wherein the data signalis a transport stream.
 15. The method for controlling the functionalmodule card as claimed in claim 13, wherein said communicating stepfurther includes a step of transferring data to said host apparatus inthe second data transfer mode, using the same transfer protocol as atransfer protocol used in the first data transfer mode, and using a databus having a number of lines smaller than that of the first transfermode, said data bus being selected in a further connection line otherthan the connection lines as used upon transferring the data signal andthe clock for transferring the data signal in the second transfer mode,said further connection line being selected from the connection lines asused as said data bus in the first data transfer mode.
 16. The methodfor controlling the functional module card as claimed in claim 13,wherein said communicating step includes a step of startingcommunicating with said host apparatus in the first data transfer modeupon being activated, and communicating with said host apparatus afterswitching over to the second data transfer mode upon receiving a commandfor switching over to the second data transfer mode from said hostapparatus.
 17. The method for controlling the functional module card asclaimed in claim 13, wherein said communicating step includes a step oftransmitting the data signal received in said broadcasting signalreceiving step to said host apparatus in one of the first data transfermode and the second data transfer mode, responsive to a command fromsaid host apparatus.
 18. The method for controlling the functionalmodule card as claimed in claim 13, wherein in the first data transfermode, the data is transferred via said data bus of the connection linesselected from said plurality of connection lines by a master-slavecommunication in which said host apparatus operates as a masterapparatus and said functional module card operates as a slave apparatus.19. A method for controlling a host apparatus including: a communicatingstep of communicating with a functional module card via a plurality ofconnection lines; and a broadcasting signal outputting step of inputtinga data signal of a digital broadcasting signal and a clock fortransferring the data signal, which are transmitted from said functionalmodule card, performing a predetermined processing on the data signaland the clock, and outputting a resultant data signal and a resultantclock, wherein said communicating step includes: a first data transfermode for transferring data via a data bus of connection lines selectedfrom said plurality of connection lines; and a second data transfer modefor inputting the data signal and the clock for transferring the datasignal, respectively, to said host apparatus via one connection line andvia at least one another connection line other than said one connectionline, said one connection line and said at least one another connectionline being selected from the connection lines which transfer the data inthe first data transfer mode.
 20. The method for controlling the hostapparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the data signal is a transportstream.
 21. The method for controlling the host apparatus as claimed inclaim 19, wherein said communicating step further includes a step ofinputting data from said functional module card in the second datatransfer mode, using the same transfer protocol as a transfer protocolused in the first data transfer mode, and using a data bus having anumber of lines smaller than that of the first transfer mode, said databus being selected in a further connection line other than theconnection lines as used upon transferring the data signal and the clockfor transferring the data signal in the second transfer mode, saidfurther connection line being selected from the connection lines as usedas said data bus in the first data transfer mode.
 22. The method forcontrolling the host apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein saidcommunicating step includes the steps of: starting communicating withsaid functional module card in the first data transfer mode upon beingactivated, and when said functional module card receives the digitalbroadcasting signal and generates the data signal of the digitalbroadcasting signal and the clock for transferring the data signal,transmitting a command to switch over to the second data transfer modeto said functional module card, switching over to the second datatransfer mode, and thereafter communicating with said functional modulecard.
 23. The method for controlling the host apparatus as claimed inclaim 19, wherein in the first data transfer mode, the data istransferred via said data bus of the connection lines selected from saidplurality of connection lines by a master-slave communication in whichsaid host apparatus operates as a master apparatus and said functionalmodule card operates as a slave apparatus.
 24. (canceled)